Can the world solve its plastic pollution problem?
A United Nations-driven effort to end plastic pollution was the topic of an October 16 panel discussion held at the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society. Sponsored by the institute and Boston College鈥檚 Global Observatory on Planetary Health, the event featured public policy, health, and marine experts, who discussed the recent UN resolution that would forge an international legally binding agreement by the end of 2024.
The panel was part of 蝌蚪直播鈥檚 United Nations Conference of Parties (蝌蚪直播@UNCOP) program, which is managed and funded through the Schiller Institute.聽 蝌蚪直播 is an official Observer Organization for the UN鈥檚 Climate Change Conference (COP); students and faculty attended COP26 and COP27.
The U.N. resolution, unanimously endorsed by all 173 members of the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022, will address the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal. It also established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee tasked with drafting and ratifying the treaty.
Professor Philip Landrigan is director of 蝌蚪直播's Global Observatory on Planetary Health.
The discussion, moderated by 蝌蚪直播 Law Professor and Dean鈥檚 Distinguished Scholar David A. Wirth, an international environmental law expert, featured panelists Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., director of 蝌蚪直播鈥檚 Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good and the Global Observatory on Planetary Health; Northeastern University Professor of Public Policy Maria Ivanova, director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs; Joshua Lincoln, senior fellow at the Centre for International Law and Governance at Tufts University; and Hauke L. Kite-Powell, a research specialist at the Marine Policy Center of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 聽
鈥淧lastic is the signature material of our age. It has contributed to improvements in human health, extensions in longevity, and growth of the global economy,鈥� said Landrigan. 鈥淚t is now clear, though, that plastic has a dark side. The benefits provided by plastics have come at a great cost to human health, the environment, and the economy.鈥�
Landrigan and Wirth were members of a commission that published a report in March offering science-based recommendations designed to support the development of the treaty. Also involved were Vice Provost for Research and Academic Planning Thomas C. Chiles, the DeLuca Chair in Biology; Walsh Professor of Bioethics and Theology Chair Andrea Vicini, S.J.; Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jia Niu; and six Boston College undergraduates. 聽
鈥淧lastic pollution is a global threat,鈥� said Landrigan, who chaired the commission. 鈥淚t has grown insidiously while the focus has been on climate, and because plastic is persistent, and less than 10 percent is recycled, nearly six billion tons now pollute the planet.聽 This waste contains more than 10,500 chemicals incorporated into plastic, including carcinogens, neurotoxicants, endocrine disruptors, and many others of unknown toxicity.鈥� 聽
"The benefits provided by plastics have come at a great cost to human health, the environment, and the economy.鈥�
蝌蚪直播 Law Professor and Dean's Distinguished Scholar David Wirth served as panel moderator.
Kite-Powell said that while estimates of plastics in the world鈥檚 oceans have been revised downward recently, the impact of microplastics on marine mammals, fish, and birds鈥攁ll of which rely on the ocean and other aquatic ecosystems for their existence鈥攔emains a major concern.
Ivanova, who called attention to the macro problem of plastic pollution, noted that Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order this fall making Massachusetts the first state to ban the purchase of single-use plastic bottles by state agencies.
鈥淚f there is existing, local, state, or national legislation and regulation, a country is more likely to join an international treaty,鈥� she said.
Lincoln said that while progress has been heartening, the treaty 鈥渄oesn鈥檛 amount to a hill of beans unless you can finance it.鈥� He added that he and his colleagues had developed a proposal for direct taxation of the companies that produce primary polymers. 鈥淚t probably won鈥檛 make it through, but it鈥檚 an interesting notion.鈥� 聽
Panelists agreed that all eyes will be on the next INC meeting鈥攊ts third鈥攊n Nairobi November 13-19.
鈥淭he treaty鈥檚 overarching goals should be to protect health, safeguard human rights, and preserve the earth, our common home,鈥� said Landrigan. 聽鈥淎 global, mandatory cap on plastic production will be essential to achieving these objectives; it should be a core provision of the treaty.聽 The great power of a production cap is that it is primary prevention; it reduces pollution at its source.鈥�